So Ivyna's latest contest pairing is for Meta Knight/Waddle Dee (the one from Revenge of Meta Knight). With an adorable pairing like that, and considering that I've been writing about those two for months on end, I just couldn't resist writing an entry! You should probably brush your teeth when you're done reading. And if you haven't figured it out yet, this is shounen-ai. Yaoi. Two guys pining for each other's sweet, sweet lovin'. So if you don't like that kind of thing, consider yourself amply warned. Constructive criticism is welcome, flamers will be pointed and laughed at.

Castles in the Sky

The world flowed languidly by outside the Halberd's window. Dust motes, suspended in the still air, took on luminosity from the intense afternoon sun. And Waddle Dee, gaze passing over rook and queen and bishop, considered his next move.

He didn't have to look up to know what his opponent was doing, but he looked up anyway. Meta Knight was watching him the same way he always did, reserved craftiness dancing in his golden eyes. That look hadn't changed since their first game of chess, and probably never would. His master's unwavering attention tended to fluster the small soldier if he dwelt upon it; how could anyone be so patient?

But thinking about that now would only distract him. Waddle Dee selected one of his white pawns and carefully grasped it in a plump russet paw, sliding the marble figure forward on its playing field. Only a few seconds of deliberation passed before Meta Knight captured the pawn with one of his own, moving the pieces with a brisk and efficient hand. Watching the group of captured ivory chess pieces grow by one, Waddle Dee's brow creased a little with concentration. Now what?

That was what he had never understood about his duels of wit with Meta Knight. Every time the warrior played against the soldier, he won. The other crew members were probably much smarter, more skillful players, and yet Meta Knight never played the game with anyone else, at least not as far as Waddle Dee was aware. He couldn't imagine why he continued to receive this honour.

The little brown creature considered his options, playing out potential moves in his head like his master had taught him to. He could see why Meta Knight would play such a game; every move made a difference, every detail had to be planned and calculated. The endless possibilities of the checkered battlefield and miniature minions were a haven for an analytical mind. And in this room, across this board was the only time Waddle Dee could remember his stoic leader seeming almost...happy. He often wished that the games would last forever.

Waddle Dee placed a paw thoughtfully on his single remaining rook, glancing up at Meta Knight. No reaction, not that he expected one; the soldier had spent enough time around the elder knight to know better. Visible reactions from him were extremely rare, at best. But Waddle Dee couldn't help wondering what was behind that mysterious mask, and wishing he could know a little more about his intriguing leader. No, he reminded himself, that was none of his business. He resolutely moved his rook forward. Besides, no one else had been allowed past Meta Knight's cold exterior, why should he?

But that didn't explain why he was there in front of the chess board, opposite his master and losing the game like countless times before, under the scrutiny of Meta Knight's intense topaz gaze. Meeting that gaze had been getting harder for Waddle Dee; he often wondered if the insightful knight could sense what was going through his head. Could everyone tell what he was thinking and feeling? It sometimes seemed that way. Waddle Dee watched another ebony piece get shifted into place, another step in an intricate strategy. Maybe it would be better if Meta Knight really could see his thoughts and feelings, that couldn't be any more stressful than keeping them secret.

A familiar bolt of electric fear ran through him, he could practically feel the adrenaline in his veins. He wasn't sure when, but what had started as simple respect and loyalty had grown into something that Waddle Dee could no longer deny to himself. He was devoted to Meta Knight. Hopelessly, achingly so, and sure that life without his master would be worse than no life at all. But as much as he trusted the enigmatic warrior, Waddle Dee still grew nervous at the thought of him finding out about his...well, yes, love. Finding it out himself had so far brought only trouble. He probably ought to bury the feeling, pretend that it never existed, and carry on as before....

"Checkmate."
The cool, even statement plunged through his thoughts, and the soldier blinked a few times as he became aware of the chess board he was staring at. His king was pinned neatly by a few black pieces, the other white figures unable to help. He should have seen it coming. Waddle Dee immediately cast his eyes downward in shame; if he hadn't been so distracted, he would have played better.
"You are nervous."
Waddle Dee looked back up to his leader, somehow not surprised by the blunt observation. Lying was impossible, not that he ever would. "Yes, Sir." he quietly agreed.
"And your thoughts are elsewhere."
The subordinate dropped his attention to the floor, feeling Meta Knight's suspecting gaze continue to burn into him. He found the pondering tone to that comment worrisome. "Yes, Sir."
A few long moments passed as the elder knight said nothing, the silence in the room suddenly stifling. The small brown soldier worked to contain his growing panic, a slight blush spreading across his pale face.
"There is no reason to concern yourself," Meta Knight finally replied, sliding down from his chair, "Your fears are unjustified." With that, he whisked from the room.

Waddle Dee remained frozen as his master's comment sank in. Did he mean...? He ran over the words in his head, putting together their cryptic meaning. And, standing in his chair, he began to reset the board with trembling paws. They would surely play again.